Feed mechanism for roller towel cabinets



May 24, 1955 R. MORRIS 2,709,121

FEED MECHANISM FOR ROLLER TOWEL CABINETS Filed Oct. 15, 1951 2 SheetsSheet l FIG. 2.

mmvrom RAMiEL MORRIS May 24, 1955 R. MORRIS FEED MECHANISM FOR ROLLER TOWEL CABINETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 15, 1951 INVENTOR.

MORRIS 2 11. FIG. 1.

United States Patent FEED MECHANISM FOR ROLLER TOWEL CABINETS Ramiel Morris, St. Louis, Mo.

Application October 15, 1951, Serial No. 251,420

8 Claims. (Cl. 312--38) This invention relates in general to continuous sheet dispensing machines and, more particularly, to certain new and useful improvements in feed mechanisms for roller towel cabinets.

This invention has for its primary object the provision of a feed mechanism for roller towel cabinets, carried upon a rockaoly mounted carriage which is actuated for towel dispensing action upon rocking of the carriage into one position and which, after a predetermined length of toweling has been dispensed, is locked against further feeding by latch means also mounted on the carriage. and conditioned for operation upon such rocking thereof.

A further object of the present invention is the provision for roller towel cabinets of a towel feeding mechanism and a latch mechanism therefor mounted upon a carriage to form a physically integrated unit which may bodily be readily removed from, and installed in, the cabinet for servicing or repair purposes, which operations do not require the use of tools or the exercise of skill.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a positive acting latch mechanism mounted upon a rockable carriage and disposed for feed locking action upon rocking of the carriage into one position and automatically released upon rocking of the carriage into its other position.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a feed mechanism and latch means therefor which comprises a minimum of parts which are simple in character and construction, economically fabricated, and durable and reliable in usage.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets),

Figure 1 is a front view of a roller towel cabinet incorporating towel feeding means constructed in ac cordance with and embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the feeding mechanism in locked position;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the carriage;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 5--5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an end elevaticnal view of the carriage in rearwardly rocked position;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view of the carriage showing the latch mechanism conditioned for operation; and

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generally designates a roller towel cabinet which may be optionally suspended by suitable means fififlfiizi Patented May 24, 1955 from a wall surface or supported upon a pedestal structure (not shown), and which comprises a pair of spaced side walls 1, 2, a top wall 3, a bottom wall 4 the rearward margin of which is bent upwardly in the formation of a guide flange 5, and a backing panel 6 having its lower margin terminating spacedly above the bottom wall 4 to form an opening 7 for passage therethrough of toweling, as will be described. Hingedly mounted on the side wall 2 for closurewise disposition across that portion of the cabinet front extending from the top to a point below the horizontal center line thereof is an upper door 8. Secured to the bottom wall 4 adjacent its forwardly presented margin, for vertical swingable movement is a lower door 9 of such height as to be limitedly lapped at its upper end by the door 8. The said lower door 9 is indented or recessed on its outer face to provide a toweling-receiving channel 10 which co-operates with the inner surface of the overlapping portion of the upper door 8 to present a guide way 11 for directing dispensed toweling downwardly.

Upstanding from the bottom wall 4-, inwardly spaced from the side walls 1, 2, are parallel, wall-like retaining sections 12, 13, respectively, defining therebetween a compartment 14 for holding a roll of fresh toweling B, the width of which is substantially equivalent to the distance between the sections 12, 13, so that during operation unauthorized displacement of the roll 3 will be prevented, thereby obviating any untoward jamming action or twisting with consequent unevenness of delivery of clean toweling.

Affixed as by welding to the inner surface of the side walls 1, 2, substantially intermediate their height, are parallel, angle-shaped support members 1.5, 16, respectively, disposed to present their inwardly extending flange 17, 18, respectively, in horizontal planar alignment. At their rearward extremities, the flanges 17, 18, are turned upwardly to form detents or stops 19, 20, respectively. Supportedly disposed upon the horizontal flanges 17, 18, is a three-sided carriage or frame 21 having parallel side plates 22, 23, stamped or otherwise suitably formed from sheet stock, and a transverse bar-like plate 24 interconnecting the side plates 22, 23, adjacent their rearward lateral margins. The upper portion of the transverse plate 24 is bent forwardly to provide an inclined guide surface 25 having adjacent its ends inwardly directed guide tabs 26 cut and formed therefrom. Projecting downwardly from the under surface of each of the side plates 22, 23, midway their length, is a stud 27, each of which is reduced at a point spacedly beneath its associated side plate 22, 23, in the formation of shoulders 28, 29, and a tongue-like terminal 30 for extension through an aperture 31 drilled in each horizontal flange 17, 18; the diameter of the apertures 31 being greater than the width of the terminals 3% to permit movement thereof within the apertures 31 for purposes to be presently shown. Thus, the carriage 21 is fulcrumed on the flanges 17, 18, by the shoulders 28, 29, of the studs 27 for forward and backward rockable movement. The engagement ofthe studs 27 within the apertures 31 form the only means of connection between the carriage 21 and the flanges 17, 18, so that the carriage 21 may be easily removed from, and inserted in, the cabinet A without ditiiculty or the use of any tools by, or special skill on the part of, the operator.

On the lower portions of their forward and rearward ends, the side plates 22, 23, are marginally contoured to provide forwardly and rearwardly opening recesses 32, 33, respectively. The upper wall of the recesses 33 are designed to abut upon the stops 19, 20, for determining the extent or degree of arc of rearward rocking of the carriage 21, while the forward limit of such movement is reached by abutment of the upper walls of the recesses 32 upon a guide bar 3 spaced immediately upwardly of the flanges l7, L3, and extending transversely between the side walls 1, 2, with its ends rigidly secured thereto. Thus, within defined limits, the carriage 21 is rockable within a vertical plane about its centrally positioned pivot points. 7

The side plates 22, 23, are drilled at their forward ends to provide axially aligned bearings 35, 36, respectively, for journaling therein of trunnion-forming ends 37, 38, of a friction-surfaced feed roller 39 axially parallel to the guide bar 34'- and immediately upwardly and rearwardly thereof. The trunnion forming end 38 extends beyond the side plate 23 and keyed or otherwise secured thereon is a sprocket wheel or pinion 40, having engaged thereabout a drive chain 41, the other end of which is engaged upon a relatively enlarged sprocket wheel 42 keyed on one projecting end d3 of a shaft 44 journaled in aligned bearings provided in the side plates 22, 23, for disposition rearwardly of, and axially parallel to, the feed roller 39. Secured on the shaft 44 for rotation therewith between the side plates 22, 23, is a friction-surfaced measuring roller 45 of increased diameter relative to the feed roller 39.

Punched or otherwise cut in the side plates 22, 23, are vertically presented parallel slots 46, 47, respectively, for free riding therein of trunnion-forming ends 48 of a winding or take-up roller 49 for receiving soiled toweling, the axis of which is parallel to and vertically aligned with that of the measuring roller 45. it will thus be seen that, as soiled toweling, designated C, winds about the roller 49, the same will be caused to rise upwardly by travel of the trunnions 48 within the slots 46, 47. The weight of the roll of soiled toweling C will cause the lower surface thereof to bear against the upper face of the measuring roller 45 so that, as the latter rotates in one direction, soiled toweling will be caused to wind about the take-up roller 49 in a reverse direction. At their upper extremities the side plates 22, 23, are each bent outwardly as at fill to permit facile withdrawal and insertion of the winding roller 4). On the rearward ends of each of the side plates 22, 23, upwardly of the recesses 33 is provided an angulated aperture 51 aligned for supporting a roller bar 52 which, during operation, rides at the bottom of said apertures 5i for disposition proximately rearwardly of the transverse plate 24 of the carriage 2t slightly beneath the guide surface to define a passage therebetween for soiled toweling traveling to the winding roller 49. At their upper ends, the apertures 51, each communicate with a forwardly extending portion 53 within which the roller bar 52 may be held spacedly from the guide surface 25 to facilitate removal and insertion of toweling (see Figure 4). Mounted on each of the projecting ends of the roller bar 52 are retaining collars 54 held against outward displacement by cotter pins 55.

Gf particular importance is the fact that the axes of the shaft 4 and the winding roller 49 are rearwardly of the studs 27 and are, hence, eccentric with relation to the carriage 21 for locating the center of gravity thereof rearwardly of its transverse center line. Thus, normally, the Carriage 21 will be canted rearwardly, as shown in Figure 6 with the stops 19, 29, limiting the attitude of the carriage 21 with relation to the horizontal.

To facilitate an understanding of the relationship between the various toweling rollers and guides, there will now be described the path of travel of toweling from the fresh roll B to the soiled roll C. Toweling is led from the fresh roll B upwardly and rearwardly over the guide bar 34 and thence about the feed roller 39 and downwardly between the doors 8, 9, through the guide way 11, the channel 10, and for a substantial distance beneath the cabinet A to provide a readily ac cessible and suitably dimensioned length thereof for usage. The toweling is then directed upwardly in customary loop-forming manner toward the rear of the cabinet A for entering the opening 7 wherein it is guided against the flange 5 and is continued upwardly between the roller bar 52 and the transverse plate 24 for riding over the guide surface 25 within the path created by the guide tabs 26 and then over the measuring roller and onto the winding roller 49. t will thus be seen that in dispensing successive lengths of toweling, the fresh toweling must pass over the friction surface of the feed roller 39 and, similarly, the soiled toweling will move across the friction surface of the measuring roller 45 so that the frictional engagement occasioned thereby will obviate the possibility of any slipping with consequent inexpedient loss of control of the amount of toweling dispensed and taken up during operation. To effect dispensing of the toweling, the user will grasp the toweling at the front portion of the loop and apply tension thereon by downward pulling. This force will cause the carriage 21 to be rocked into forward position (as shown in Figures 2 and 3) and will cause the roller 3h to rotate, which motion will be transmitted by the sprocket wheels 40, 42, and the drive chain 41 to the shaft 44 for rotating the measuring roller 45. Thus, as fresh toweling moves over the feed roll 3? into position for usage, the measuring roller 45 will cause soiled toweling to be delivered to the winding roller 49. The feed roller 39 and measuring roller 45 operate in unison whereby the amount of fresh toweling dispensed is the same as the amount of soiled toweling taken up. Release of tension by the user will, of course, cause a discontinuance of the towel dispensing operation and will cause the carriage 21, through gravity, to rock into its rearward position.

In order to control the length of fresh toweling to be dispensed, there is provided a latch mechanism gen erally denoted D for inhibiting rotation of the measuring roller 45 after a predetermined length of toweling has been delivered. Restraining of the measuring roller 45 against continued rotation will prevent further feeding of soiled toweling onto the winding roller 49 and prohibit further rotation of the feed roller 39 since the chain 41 will be held against travel by the now stationary sprocket wheel 42.

The latch mechanism D comprises a plate 56 mounted for rocking action on a stud 57 extending outwardly from the side plate 22 adjacent the bearing 35 and disposed at the forward end of the plate 56 whereby the same will be biased through its own weight to rock in a clockwise direction. Substantially centrally of the plate 56 there is provided a slot 58 for relative movement therein of a detent pin 59 extending therethrough and secured at its inner end to the side plate 22. Thus, the arc of swingable movement of the plate 56 about the stud 57 is determined by the vertical extent of the slot 58 since engagement of the detent pin 5? against the upper or lower faces thereof limits further movement in the particular direction. In its upper portion the plate 56 is cut away or recessed as at 65. and con toured adjacent its rearward end to provide successive upwardly progressing shoulders 61, 62, in stepped relation. Carried on the plate for swingable movement about a stud 63 secured at its inner end to the plate 56 is a cam plate 64. The said stud 63 is located adjacent the rearward end of the plate 64 so that its rocking tendency, through gravity, will be in a counterclockwise direction. The upper margin of the cam plate 64 is profiled to provide a forward rounded humplike portion 65 and a rearward head or extension 66 which is inwardly bent at its upper end to form an inwardly directed flange 67 for normally over-riding relation with respect to the upper face of the shoulder 61 of the plate 56. However, the spacing of the flange 67 from the upper surface of the shoulder 61 is such that when the cam plate 64 is in forwardly canted position (see Figure 6) linear abutment will occur therebetween and thus limit the arc of downward swing of the plate 64. The upper limit of such rocking action, by means to be shortly described, is determined by surfacewise abutment of the rearwardly presented face of the flange 67 against the forwardly presented face of the shoulder 61 of the plate 56. Also mounted on the plate 56 forwardly of the slot 58 for free rotative movement is a disk 68, the lower portion of which projects beyond the bottom margin of the plate 56 and is spaced from the horizontal flange 17 when the carriage 21 is in rearwardly rocked position.

Mounted fixedly on a projecting end 69 of the shaft 44 is a pawl or latching arm 70, the free end of which is inclined rearwardly with respect to the direction of rotation of the shaft 44 during operation. When the carriage 21 is in rearwardly rocked position (as shown in Figure 6) the pawl 70, were the shaft 44 to be rotated, would potentially move through a path unobstructed by the plates 56, 64. However, when the carriage 21 is rocked into forward position (see Figures 2 and 3) upon application of tension upon the toweling by the user, the plate 56 will be rocked upwardly counterclockwise by contact of the disk 68 upon the horizontal flange 17 into the position shown in Figure 7, thereby carrying the plate 64 upwardly to dispose the forwardly presented face of the flange 67 into the path of rotation of the pawl 70. As the shaft 44 rotates during towel delivering action, the pawl 70 will come into engagement with the flange 67 and by its continued movement cause the cam plate 64 to be rocked upwardly and rearwardly in a clockwise manner by continuing contact with the flange 67, which, by such action, is driven into abutment on its rearwardly presented face against the forward face of the shoulder 61. At this juncture, the latching action is completed since the further movement of the pawl '70 is obstructed by the flange 67, which is held rigidly by the shoulder 61. Thus, as pointed out hereinabove, further dispensing of toweling is inhibited since the measuring roller 45 is prevented from continued rotation. It will, therefore, be seen that the latch mechanism D is positive in operation.

Upon the release of tension by the user on the toweling, the carriage 21 will, by its own weight, rock backwardly permitting the plate 56 to swing forwardly and downwardly through gravity and carry with it the cam plate 64 to remove same from engagement with the pawl 70. The latch mechanism D is automatically unlocked by release of tension upon the toweling so that re-application of force thereon by the user will reins'titute the feeding cycle and permit the next successive length of toweling to be delivered for use. It will be seen that there is no appreciable time lag between successive dispensing operations since the release of tension and re-application thereof may be performed within an infinitesimal period of time. It is to be noted that as the carriage 21 starts its forward rocking into latch conditioning position, the pawl 70 will be simultaneously moving rearwardly past the upwardly rising plates 56 and 64 so that no premature latching engagement will occur. To further assure no untoward operation at this juncture, the inclined face of the pawl 70 provides an additional element of safety. Consequently, the latching operation will only occur after the measuring roller 45 has made one complete revolution whereby it will be seen that the length of each dispensed section of toweling will equal the peripheral measurement of the measuring roller 45.

The sequence of operations of the latch mechanism D can be readily followed by reference to the drawings. Figure 6 shows the carriage 21 in rearwardly rocked condition of rest with the latch mechanism D in unlocked position wherein the extension 66 is displaced from the path of rotation of the pawl 70. Figure 7 shows the carriage 21 immediately upon its rocking into forward position wherein the latch mechanism D is conditioned for locking operation, that is, the extension 66 now presented into the path of rotation of the pawl which at this state has just cleared the upwardly rising plates 56, 64. Figure 2 reveals the latch D in fully locked position with the extension 66 held between the shoulder 61 and the pawl 70.

The disk 68 serves to dissipate with limited wearing effects the force of the downward and rearward components of thrust resulting from the forward rocking of the carriage 21. The detent or stops 19, 20, also act to prevent any untoward rearward movement of the carriage 21 by abutment against the transverse bar 24.

The present invention above described presents a feed mechanism and a latch mechanism therefor carried upon a rockable carriage to provide a physically integrated unit. The parts may be fabricated in a most economical manner, with wood and plastic materials being readily utilizable in times of metal shortage, without any diminution in the effective operation of the device. The simplicity of the parts comprising the present invention assure reliability and durability in usage since there are no complicated or complex mechanisms involved as is presently customary in roller towel cabinets.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the feed mechanism for roller towel cabinets may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of the present invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device for dispensing predetermined lengths of sheet material the improvement comprising support members, a carriage disengageably mounted on said support members for facile removal therefrom, said carriage being mountable for rockable movement between first or forward and second or rearward positions of rest, limiting means for controlling the degree of arc of rock of the carriage in either direction of movement, said carriage being so weighted upon the support members as to be normally biased into its second or rearward position of rest, sheet material dispensing and take-up means mounted on said carriage for movement therewith and comprising a main rotating member for measuring the amount of material dispensed, and a feed roller located at the forward end portion of the carriage for dispensing sheet material, a latch arm connected to said main rotating member for rotation therewith, a first swingable member carried on said carriage, and a second swingable member mounted on said first swingable member for movement therewith and having an extension, said first swingable member being eccentrically pivoted for dis position through gravity of same and said second swingable member beyond the path of rotation of said latch arm when said carriage is in its second or rearward position of rest, means carried on said first swingable member for engaging a support member when said carriage is rocked into its first or forward position of rest to effect pivoting of said swingable members into the path of travel of the latch arm whereby locking engagement will occur between said latch arm and said extension to thereby inhibit further rotation of the rotating member after travel thereof through a predetermined arc.

2. In a device as described in claim 1 wherein the first swingable member is provided with an abutment surface for engaging the extension of the second swingable member as the same is engaged by the latch arm.

3. In device for dispensing predetermined lengths of sheet material the improvement comprising support members, a carriage disengageably mounted on said support members for facile removal therefrom, said carriage being mountable for rockable movement between first or forward and second or rearward positions of rest, means for controlling the degree of arc of rock of the carriage in either direction of movement, said carriage being so weighted upon the support members as to be normally biased into its second or rearward position of rest, sheet material dispensing and take-up means mounted on said carriage for movement therewith and comprising a feed roller over which the material to be dispensed is trained and by downward exertion upon which the carriage is rocked into its first or forward position of rest, and a main rotating member for measuring the amount of material dispensed, a latch arm connected to said rotating member for rotation therewith, a first swingable member eccentrically mounted on said carriage to be biased for swinging into a clockwise direction, said first swingable member having an abutment surface, a second swingable member mounted eccentrically on said first swingable member for movement therewith and having extension, said first and second swingabie members being displaced through gravity from the path of rotation of the latch arm when the carriage is in its second or renward position of rest, means associated with said first swingable member for engaging a support member when the carriage is rocked by pressure applied upon the feed roller to cause upward and counter-clockwise swinging of the first swnigable member for carrying the second swingable member into the path of rotation of the latch arm to effect engagement between same and the extension which is driven thereby against the abutment surface.

4. In a device for dispensing predetermined lengths of sheet material, the improvement comprising a cabinet, a source of unused sheet material disposed in said cabinet, support members mounted in said cabinet on opposed sides thereof, a carriage disengageably mounted on said support members for facile removal from said cabinet for inspection and repair purposes, said carriage being mountable for rockable movement between first or forwardly and second or rearwardly positions of rest, limiting means for controlling the degree of rock of the carriage, said carriage being so weighted upon the support members as to be normally biased into its second position of rest, sheet material dispensing and take-up means mounted on said carriage for movement therewith and comprising a first roller around which sheet material is directed, said first roller having a friction-producing peripheral surface, said cabinet having a discharge outlet and a return inlet between which a quantity of sheet material may extend for use, the discharge outlet being subsequent to said first roller, a second roller subsequent to the inlet and across which ise-d sheet material is passe to a receiver, said second roller having a frictionprodueing peripheral surface, means connecting the first and second rollers for rotation of the second roller when the first is rotated by application of tension upon the sheet material disposed for usage which also effects rocking of the carriage into its first position of rest, a latch arm connected to said second rotating member for rotation therewith, a first swingable member carried on one side of said carriage and having an abutment surfs a second swingable member mounted on said first swingable member for movement therewith and having an upward extension, means mounted on said first swingable member for engaging a support member when the carriage is rocked into its first position of rest to cause upward swinging of the first swingable member to present the second swingable member into the pack of rotation of the latch arm whereby locking engagement will occur between said latch arm and said extension to thereby inhibit further rotation of the first and second rollers after traveling of the second roller through a predetermined arc, said extension engaging said abutment surface for maintenance in latched position, said first swinga'ole member being movable by gravity into unlocked position upon rocking of the carriage into its second position of rest after release of tension upon the material.

5. in a device for dispensing predetermined lengths of sheet material the improvement comprising support members, a carriage disengageably mounted on said support member for facile removal therefrom, said carriage being mountable for rockable movement between first or for-' ward and second or rearward positions of rest, said carriage being normally biased in its second or rearward position of rest, a source of unused sheet material, sheet material dispensing means mounted on said carriage for movement therewith and comprising a first roller about which unused material is led for disposition into usable position and by downward pulling on which the carriage is rocked into its first or forward position of rest, and a second or measuring roller, transmission means connecting said first second rollers for rotation in unison thereof, said first and second rollers being provided with frictionproducing peripheral surfaces, a latch arm carried on said second roller for rotation therewith, a first swingable member eccentrically mounted on said carriage, to be biased for swinging into a clockwise direction, said first swingable member having an abutment surface, and a second swingable member mounted eccentrically on said first swingable member for movement therewith, said first and second swingable members being displaced through gravity from the path of rotation of the latch arm, a contact member mounted on said first swingable member for pro jcction beyond the lower edge thereof, said contact member being out of engagement with the adjacent support member when the carriage is in its second or rearward position of rest and engaging said support member upon rocking of said carriage into its first or forward position of rest to cause upward swinging of one portion of the first swingaole member for carrying said second swingable member into the path of rotation of the latch arm to thereby engage same and inhibit further rotation of the second roller after travel thereof through a predetermined are.

6. A device for dispensing predetermined lengths of sheet material comprising a cabinet, support members mounted on opposite sides of said cabinet, a carriage for disposition within said cabinet and having side plates, said side plates having means for disengageable engagement upon said support members, whereby said carriage may be bodily removed from said cabinet for inspection and repair purposes, said means for engagement forming a fulcrum whereby said carriage is rockable between first or forward and second or rearward positions of rest, a measuring roller and a feed roller mounted on said carriage for movement therewith and extending between said side plates, said carriage being rockable into its first or forward position of rest by application of downward pressure on said feed roller, a latch arm mounted on said measuring roller at one end thereof and rotatable therewith, a first swingable plate eccentrically mounted on one of said side plates in such manner as to be biased through gravity for swinging in a clockwise direction, a second swingable plate member eccentrically pivotally mounted on said first swingable plate member on the outer face and adjacent the one end thereof and having an upward extension, said first and second swingable plate members being disposed through their eccentric mounting beyond the path of rotation of the latch arm when said carriage is in its second or rearward position of rest, a roller mounted on said first swingable member in the lower portion thereof for contactive engagement with the adjacent support member upon rocking of the carriage into its first or forward position of rest by tension on said feed roller whereupon said first swingable member will be caused to swing upwardly in a counterclockwise direction to elevate the second swingable plate for presenting the extension into the path of rotation of the latch arm for eifecting locking engagement therebetween after the measuring roller has traveled through a predetermined are.

7. A device as described in claim 6 including means for determining the extent of swing of said first swingable member in either direction of movement.

8. A device for dispensing predetermined lengths of sheet material comprising a cabinet, support members mounted on opposite sides of said cabinet, a carriage for disposition within said cabinet and having side plates, each of said side plates having a tongue member depending'f rom their under edge midway its length for removable disposition within openings provided in said support members whereby said carriage may be bodily removed from said cabinet for inspection and repair purposes, said tongue-members each having a pair of shoulders for fulcrum-forming resting disposition upon the upper surfaces of said support members, whereby said carriage is rockable between first or forward and second or rearward positions of rest, a measuring roller and a feed roller mounted on said carriage for movement therewith and extending between said plates, said carriage being rockable into its first or forward position of rest by application of downward pressure on said, feed roller, a latch arm mounted on said measuring roller at one end thereof and rotatable therewith, a first swingable plate eccentrically mounted on one of said side plates in such manner as to be biased through gravity for swinging in a clockwise direction, a second swingable plate member eccentrically pivotally mounted on said first swingable plate member on the outer face and adjacent one end thereof and having an upward extension, said first and second swingable plate members being disposed through their eccentric mountings beyond the path of rotation of the latch arm when said carriage is in its second or rearward position of rest, a roller mounted on said first swingable member in the lower forward portion thereof, being spaced above the adjacent support member when the carriage is in its second or rearward position of rest and being brought into engagement with the adjacent support member upon rocking of the carriage into its first or forward position of rest by tension on said feed roller whereupon said first swingable member will be caused to swing upwardly in a counterclockwise direction to elevate the second swingable plate for presenting the extension into the path of rotation of the latch arm for effecting locking engagement therebetween after the roller has traveled through a predetermined are, said first swingable member having an abutment surface for engaging said extension to retain same against inadvertent movement out of latched engagement, and means for limiting the extent of swing of said first swingable member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,553,170 Jones et a1. Sept. 8, 1925 

